Kentucky vs. Kansas: Assessing Draft Stock of NBA Prospects After Title Game

The NCAA title game was chock full of future NBA players, many of them are underclassmen. Some are without a doubt headed for the NBA draft, while others will take a few weeks to mull over their decision.

As the following months unfold, these players will make their intentions known. Assuming all of these players commit, they can be placed in groups as it relates to their draft stock.

Lottery Picks

Anthony Davis

Davis has to be considered a leading candidate for the No. 1 overall selection in the June draft. Were it my team, I'd take Andre Drummond of UConn, but Davis' team had more success and of course, teams saw him in competition last.

Davis' game needs a lot of growth on the offensive end, but he has tremendous upside. He's already a solid weak-side defender and an excellent shot blocker and rebounder.

Don't be surprised if Drummond wows GMs and the like in workouts, though.

Probability for return: 0-5 percent

Draft stock: Very High

Thomas Robinson

Robinson is a beast on the block, he's relentless and takes the term "NBA body" to a whole new level. Strength and athleticism will not be an issue for him on the next level.

He is a bit short for the power forward spot, which is where he projects in the NBA. That perception could change if he measures out at the 6'10" he's listed.

He will need to improve his shooting, but I believe he will do that. He depends a lot on brute strength and drives to the basket. He could really use a solid 15- to 17-foot jump shot.

That said—Robinson has a ton of heart, and he's destined for success.

Probability for return: 5-10 percent

Draft stock: Very High

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

MKG is the nations' best stat-sheet stuffer. Even with that—he desperately needs to improve his shooting. He shot less than 25 percent from three in 2011, and that will be a huge liability in the NBA.

On the positive side, he runs the floor like a deer, rebounds and defends. He reminds me of Shawn Marion a lot in the way he plays.

Probability for return: 5-10 percent

Draft stock: High

Terrence Jones

TJ's stock slipped a bit this season. Had he come out last year, he would have been a top-10 pick. Now, he likely just makes it in as a late lottery selection.

He has some size and versatility at 6'9" with adequate athleticism and decent three-point accuracy (33 percent during the season). 

Jones reminds me of Al Harrington, and I could see him panning out as that type of player in the NBA.

Probability for return: 0-5 percent

Draft stock: Moderate

Mid to Late First Rounders

Marquis Teague

Teague is an exceptional athlete with great quickness, but his point guard skills need work. He benefited most of any of the Wildcats being surrounded by so much talent. 

He will have a rough go at it as a point guard in the NBA for a couple years if he comes out now.

Teague is a 32 percent three-point shooter, and he relies on his quickness in almost every situation. He'll be taken in the first round on potential, but could really use another year.

Probability for return: 10-15 percent

Draft stock: Low to Moderate

Doron Lamb

Lamb could sneak into the first round after a 22-point performance in the championship game. He can score in bunches and he can shoot it from distance. He shot almost 47 percent from distance this season, and unlike most of the Wildcats, he is a sophomore.

He could come out, but he could also return and improve his stock. He is considered a bit undersized at 6'4" for the shooting guard, and he isn't an explosive athlete. But he does have ability to be a solid combo guard in the NBA.

Probability for return: 25-30 percent

Draft stock: Moderate to High

Late First Round to Early Second Round

Tyshawn Taylor

He reminds me of a leaner, more athletic version of another former Jayhawk, Mario Chalmers. Taylor is a 6'3" clutch performer that can play either guard spot. He also reminds me a bit of Tony Delk, a former Kentucky Wildcat.

Taylor will be a bit of a surprise for the team that selects him late in the first or early in the second round. Taylor almost doubles his scoring average from his junior to senior year. He put up 16.6 points per game and shot 38 percent from three.

I like his game.

Probability for return: Senior

Draft stock: Moderate

Darius Miller

Miller is a tweener, and that could be an issue in the NBA. He is 6'7" and thickly built, without elite athleticism. He does shoot it pretty well from three (37 percent), so that helps, but he may need to slim down to maximize his mobility.

Miller is a senior, so this is it for him, and he's likely to be selected in the second round. He will either be a reserve in the NBA, or possibly a solid player overseas.

Probability for return: Senior

Draft stock: Moderate to Low